FPW Super Anniversary Party

[Jim Houston]

The show begins with a video package highlighting the best moments from the past year of FPW, and then it melts into the closing moments of Marcus Allen Jones v Adam Thompson from The Lost World. It shows each competitor demanding their shot at the gauntlet match, before showing Marcus Allen Jones proclaiming himself as the true FPW Champion. It goes on to show potted highlights of the build to each of the other matches, before closing with a shot of each man in the gauntlet match and a close-up of the FPW Championship.

MW: Hello everybody and welcome to Freedom Pro Wrestling’s Super Anniversary Party. Tonight we celebrate becoming one year old and what better way than crowning a new FPW Champion!
SD: A new champion but an old one. We all know Marcus Allen Jones will reclaim the title that was stolen from him by Jim Houston and Adam Thompson. Houston is trying to keep Marcus from being the champion we all deserve but even our esteemed general manager can't hold back the tide.
MW: Well we'll see about that at the end of the show. Before then we have a brutal Hardcore Championship match, a Tag Team Championship match that has been coming for a long time, a tag team debut and our next match- a qualifier for tonight's main event.

Match 1: Tommy Storm v Jace Mason: Winner Receives a Place in the Gauntlet Match:

The intro for "Afterlife" plays. As soon as the intro is over Jace Mason steps out, one foot forward in a dramatic pose and pyro goes off. He pauses to look at the crowd and smile for a moment before making his way down the ramp. He walks down the ramp high-fiveing fans, doing a bit of trash talk with people booing him. He gets on the ring apron and climbs the right side turnbuckles. He pauses again, one foot on the top and one on the middle turnbuckle, before raising his right fist and dropping into the ring.

Walk by Pantera plays and Tommy Storm walks out from behind the curtain. He stops after a few steps and looks around at the crowd. He beats his chest with his fists and arms in the shape of an X twice then throws his arms up over his head with his left hand making the rock on hand sign and his right hand making the hang loose hand sign. When his hands hit the peak of being raised over his head orange pyro goes off in three bursts. Tommy lets out a yelling “lets fucking go” and walks to the ring. He gets in the ring and raises his arms at 2 sides of the ring before stopping to try and intimidate Mason. Mason stands in the corner and looks Storm up and down before nodding and stretching out his neck.

MW: These two have everything to gain in this match.
SD: The pressure for each is huge. A chance to make it into the biggest match in FPW history. And these two have barely wrestled here.
MW: There may be a lot of pressure, but whoever can handle it better will get the chance of a lifetime.
SD: Well we both know that Tommy Storm can't handle the pressure.
MW: Just what has happened between you two?
SD: I don't want to talk about it.

Storm and Mason circle each other in the ring and then lock up, Storm going in for a headlock but Mason reversing into a hammerlock. Storm manages to twist out of the hold and locks in a waistlock, lifting Mason for a moment but Mason drops and performs a standing switch, and wrestles Storm to the ground. He switches into a front facelock but Storm manages to catch the wrist and stand, landing kicks to the ribs. He then backs off and hits a running knee to the ribs of Mason, sending him rolling towards the ropes.

MW: Storm with a strong start here.
SD: A strong start but he'll find a way to let Mason back into it.

Storm stalks Mason and connects with a kick to the back as he gets to his feet. Mason reels away and Storm comes in with forearm shots and a spinning back fist to take Mason to the mat. He quickly stands behind him and locks his arms around Mason’s waist, lifting him and connecting with a deadlift German suplex, bridging for the cover, 1-2-no. Mason kicks out. Storm keeps his hands locked and pulls Mason up, lifting him for another German, but Mason flips out and lands on his feet, pointing to his head as he connects with a dropkick to the back of Storm, sending him colliding face first with the second turnbuckle. He backs off and runs at Storm, connecting with a knee to the back of his head. He pulls Storm down to the mat and covers him, hooking both legs, 1-2-no. Storm kicks out.

Mason waits for Storm to get to his feet before hitting a spinning gut kick, then kicking out his knee and running into the ropes, coming back with a dropkick to Storm. Mason then pushes himself up to the second rope, coming off with a knee drop to the head. He covers Storm, 1-2-no. Storm again kicks out. Mason then moves to Storm’s legs and lifts them, looking for a kick to the inside of the right knee, but Storm forces him back into the ropes, trying to trip him before Mason leaps over him. Storm then makes it up to his feet and connects with a step-up enzeguiri as Mason comes back to him.

Storm then rolls to the apron and waits for Mason to make it to his feet. He springboards up and hits a crossbody to take Mason down, but Mason manages to roll through and get him in a small package, 1-2-no! Storm just escapes. Both men make it to their feet and Mason strikes first with a chop. Storm responds with a forearm. Both men yell at each other to bring it and they exchange chops and forearms until Storm goes for another step-up enzeguiri but Mason ducks. With Storm on the ground, Mason grabs his leg and goes for the single leg crab.

MW: If he locks this in it could be over!
SD: Tommy Storm says he'll never quit but I know better. This gets locked in and Mason wins guaranteed.

Mason steps over but Storm quickly scrambles to the ropes and forces the break. Mason moves in but Storm manages to get between his legs and quickly scramble to his feet. He hits a snap German and then pulls Mason up, hitting an overhead belly to belly into the turnbuckles, leading to Mason slumped down in the corner as Storm runs at him, connecting with a cannonball. Storm then climbs to the top rope and flies, connecting with a frog splash and holding for the cover, 1-2-no! Mason barely gets his shoulder up.

MW: This is a very fast-paced match from these two.
SD: Of course it is. They need to get a quick win before the main event. They can't wrestle for half an hour and then have another match later.

Storm lifts Mason and has him in a suplex position. He tries to drop down but Mason manages to hook his leg and remain standing, quickly locking in the half crab. He wrenches back as Storm cries out in pain. The official waits for him to tap out but Storm again manages to work his way slowly towards the ropes. He grasps the bottom rope and Mason breaks the hold. Mason then pulls Storm up and whips him into the ropes, catching him for the Extra Credit. Storm however manages to rotate and land back on his feet, immediately switching his position and connecting with the Eliminator. He covers Mason, 1-2-3.

Winner: Tommy Storm

MW: Tommy Storm qualifies for the gauntlet match!
SD: Barely…
MW: Even you have to give him credit for that one. What a reversal of the Extra Credit.
SD: I guess it was pretty good.

Storm stands and celebrates, signalling that he's about to become champion. Behind him, Mason pulls himself up. Storm turns and looks at Mason, giving him a nod of respect as Mason does the same, watching as Storm leaves the ring.

Backstage, we see Jerry Bishop, Matt Dwyer and Super Che Jr. Matt and Che are taping their wrists while Jerry is bouncing around the locker room.

MD: Dude, will you sit down for a minute?
JB: Sit down? This is us back together! We don't have a shadow over us anymore. We can be the pure League of Friendmigos once more! How can I sit down when I'm this excited?
SCJ: I understand. But sit. You're putting us off.
MD: We're all excited Jerry. But we have a match up next and you need to get ready for that main event.

Missy enters and walks up to Che, sitting on his knee.

JB: Missy! Did you get the things?
MD: What things?
Missy: I had a few problems. Mr. Houston said you couldn't come down to the ring riding an armoured polar bear.
JB: Awwwwww. But it would be so cool!
Missy: He also said no fire breathers, no animatronic dinosaurs and no acrobats coming down from the ceiling.
SCJ: I can come from ceiling if you like?
JB: Nah, it's not the same. How can he not see my vision? I'm just trying to do something special for our big show.

Jerry sits down looking disappointed.

MD: Hey, your something special can be taking home that title.
JB: I'd rather have a big triceratops.
MD: Dude, we all would. But hey, que sera, sera.
SCR: What?

Jerry stands and places his foot on the chair.

MD: Here we go…
JB (with his best Shakespearean delivery): Que sera, sera. Whether I be betwixt mine greatly armoured snow bear and three-horned beast or whether I be sauntering with familiarity, whether I be following the automatron, the young pretender or even an enemy with which I remain unfamiliar, my resolve will not darken. For tonight I am granted the greatest gift: the chance to return the golden prize to the bastion of goodness and to put on my greatest performance. Que sera, sera. What will be, will be.

Che, Missy and Dwyer look on with confusion as Jerry, still in the same pose, stares off into the distance.

Match 2: James Saturn v Edward Dessius (written by Baker/Renegades):



As the camera opens back up on Watson and Deville, the two look to be rather excited about the next match.



MW: Next up, we’ve got the up-and-coming James Saturn, fresh off a win in a tag match against Nick Jameson and Jeremiah Johnson, versus the returning Edward Dessius! The seeds for this match were sewn when Dessius ambushed Saturn backstage after The Lost World’s hardcore tag team match, but since then we’ve seen both competitors throw vicious barbs at one another. Who do you think has the edge going in, Deville?



SD: I think this one’s fairly obvious-well rested and with the advantage of strength and a devastating finisher on his side, Edward Dessius clearly has the advantage coming in. I mean, come on-he’s a former Hardcore champion! Saturn hasn’t done anything nearly as notable as that while here in FPW, how can he even hope to compete?



MW: I think Saturn’s going to surprise us here tonight, but we’ll have to see what happens!



The opening to ‘Whatever’ by Jim Johnston plays as Dessius emerges from backstage, raising his kendo stick high. He rushes the ring, throwing and shoving the ring crew around as he rips chairs from beneath it and begins wrecking it, throwing debris everywhere. As he climbs into the ring, he raises his kendo stick high and beats it over his head a few times, screaming out profanity and staring toward the ring ramp. He waits, almost hungrily, for James Saturn to arrive, settling in a corner as the ring crew try to keep their distance from him.



Moments later, the opening lyrics to ‘My Last Breath’ play, and James Saturn emerges from backstage. He looks intensely focused, and slaps the hands of a few fans as he approaches the ring, getting there and looking up at Dessius with a cautious glint in his eyes. He steps into the ring and settles in a corner as his theme dies out, and both he and Dessius lock eyes while the ring announcer does the proceedings for the night.



SD: Just look at the intensity of Dessius! The size, the strength, how can Saturn even hope to beat him?



MW: Saturn may be outmatched by the strength of Dessius, but with his never-say-die attitude and his speed, he may have a chance yet!



The match starts as the bell rings shortly thereafter, and both men circle one another before locking up. Dessius manages to get the advantage early, and shoves Saturn into the corner, before hitting him with a clothesline and a punch before throwing him into a seated position. Dessius goes for Insane Vibrations, but Saturn manages to roll beneath the ropes and escape. Dessius goes to chase after him, but Saturn hops back up on the ropes quickly and catches Dessius with an enziguri as he attempts to come through, sliding back between the ropes and catching Dessius as he falls back. He attempts to hit Dessius with an inverted atomic drop, but Dessius manages to shove him off and catch him with a superkick that sends Saturn back before following up with a lariat that drops Saturn. With a wicked grin on his face, Dessius hits the ropes and hits Saturn with a running splash, before hooking his leg and going for an early pin.



ONE!



TW-Saturn kicks out! Dessius grunts, and pulls Saturn back to his feet and goes for an early Desolate Insanity, but Saturn shoves Dessius off before he can set it up and hits Dessius with a snap running knee! Dessius stumbles back, and Saturn drills him with a calf-kick, dropping him to a knee, before he hits the ropes and goes for a dropkick on the kneeling Dessius. Dessius manages to roll under it, however, and catches Saturn’s rebound with another lariat, dropping him to the ground! The crowd boos Dessius, and Dessius soaks it in for a moment before he picks Saturn up. He hits Saturn with a Death Valley Drop into the corner, and takes a step away for a moment before going back and stomping Saturn into the corner repeatedly with Insane Vibrations. As he finishes, Saturn looks to be brutalized and exhausted, and Dessius takes the advantage and picks him up for yet another Desolate Insanity.



MW: Saturn’s not looking to be quite in good shape here!



As Dessius locks in the butterfly hold, he looks to drive Saturn to the ground, but Saturn manages to stand his ground and break the hold. Dessius looks infuriated, and goes to hit Saturn with another lariat, but Saturn avoids it and hits him with a running knee! Dessius is knocked back, but not felled, and takes another, and another knee, before Saturn runs and hits him in the head with a step-up enziguri, knocking him to the ground! Saturn hits the ropes, climbing to the top turnbuckle, and postures to the crowd, not noting Dessius starting to stir before he attempts a Saturnsault-onto the knees of Dessius! Dessius shoves Saturn off, and gets a running start before hitting him with yet another running splash, before turning it over into a Lou Thesz Press!



SD: Dessius is really going to work on Saturn here-Saturn can barely get any offense in! I’m not too surprised…



Dessius pulls his fist away from Saturn’s face, and considers another Desolate Insanity...before he grabs Saturn’s leg and stomps on it a few times. Saturn writhes in pain and yells out, before Dessius pulls it into the Dessius Lock! Saturn’s writhing on the ground, but he’s close to the ropes that Dessius neglected, and Dessius is too busy pandering to the crowd to note that Saturn’s getting closer and closer!



He reaches the ropes! The referee forces Dessius to break the hold at the three-count, and Dessius releases Saturn, taking no time and going for another running splash-but Saturn rolls out of the ring and escapes! Dessius looks furious as Saturn climbs to the top rope, but as Dessius goes to grab him, Saturn hits him with a top rope spear! The crowd pops huge as Saturn hooks Dessius’s leg!



ONE!



TW-NO! DESSIUS KICKS OUT! Dessius shoots bolt upright, and Saturn tries to take advantage of this and hit Dessius with another dropkick, but Dessius ducks it and gets back to his feet! He pulls Saturn in with another lariat and levels him, but instead of going for another move, he wraps his arm around Saturn’s throat and holds him in a vicious hold! He elbows Saturn in the head repeatedly, causing Saturn to move his head closer to Dessius’s, only for Dessius to bite down hard on Saturn’s ear! The crowd begins to boo heavily as Dessius pulls away from Saturn, releasing him before trying to go for the Dessius Lock once again!



MW: Dessius’s dominance in this match cannot be overstated-Saturn’s got a lot of ground to make up for if he wants to come back into this!



Dessius tries to lock in the Dessius log, but Saturn’s quick to get a few kicks in on the back of Dessius’s head, causing him to give up. He instead goes to yank Saturn back up to his feet and hit him with a roundhouse kick, but Saturn manages to avoid it and hits a springboard lariat on Dessius! Dessius is knocked silly, and Saturn hits him with two back-to-back running knees, knocking him into the ropes! Saturn’s not done yet, and hits a running clothesline on Dessius, who flies over the ropes! Saturn looks down at Dessius on the ground, and then to the crowd, who begin to cheer when they realize what’s going on! Saturn hits the ropes, rebounds, and hits a vicious suicide dive onto Edward Dessius!



Dessius and Saturn both lay on the ground, not quite moving, before Saturn gets back to his feet. The referee begins counting as they return to their feet, and Saturn climbs up on the ropes, appearing to be intent on winning the match through countout...before he climbs to the top turnbuckle! He plays to the crowd once more!



MW: A Saturnsault to the outside? Is Saturn mad?!



SD: I guess we’ll find out!



Saturn tries for a second Saturnsault onto the prone form of Edward Dessius, but Dessius moves out of the way quickly and sends Saturn to the ground! Saturn clutches his back, only exacerbated by the fact that Dessius stomps on it as he does so, before rolling him back into the ring and climbing in after him. The ball appears to be firmly in Dessius’s court at this point, and he rolls under the ropes and picks Saturn up once again. This time, he underhooks Saturn’s arms quickly, and plays to the crowd himself, shouting profanity.



SD: Desolate Insanity! This one’s over!



As Dessius lifts Saturn up for the DDT, Saturn struggles, and Dessius drops him for a moment, hitting him with an elbow before attempting it again...only for Saturn to roll through and roll Dessius up!



ONE!



TWO!!

THREE!!!

Winner: James Saturn



The bell rings as Saturn is declared the winner, barely getting back to his feet as a shocked and furious Dessius clutches his head in the middle of the ring! Saturn looks around, shocked, but his momentary positivity and shock are broken as Dessius goes for his kendo stick and lays Saturn out!



MW: Oh god! Someone call a medic!



SD: Dessius is only doing what’s right-getting payback for the way in which Saturn won!



Dessius beats on Saturn for a few moments more, busting him open, before security and the medics force him away from Saturn. A furious Dessius rolls out of the ring and attacks the ring crew, sending one crew member over the barricade. He curses at the fans and at Saturn, and contemplates going back in the ring for a moment before the referees force him out fully. He exits the arena to a shower of boos, and flips off everyone before storming backstage, leaving the downed James Saturn in the middle of the ring...

Backstage, Dasha Banks stands with MDE.

DB: MDE, you have your biggest match in FPW coming up tonight. How well-prepared do you feel?
MDE: You're asking me if I'm prepared? Do you know me at all? I'm more prepared than anybody else in this match. I'm prepared for anybody who might come out as a surprise entrant. I plan to win this match and become the champion that everyone should see I am.
DB: Do you have a preferred spot to enter the match? Are you someone who wants to go through everyone or someone who wants to enter Last against a tired opponent?
MDE: It doesn't matter. I have more stamina than anyone in this match and I have the perfect gameplan for everyone.
DB: If you do become champion, who would you like to defend your title against first?
MDE: I don't care.
DB: You must have someone you'd quite like to face?
MDE: I don't care. I have warm-ups to do and you said four questions.

MDE walks off as Dasha rolls her eyes.

Match 3: Friendmigos v Renegades (No Writer Volunteered):

After a fast-paced, hard-fought but respectful match, John Grimm pins Matt Dwyer to give The Renegades a win on debut.

Backstage, Edward Dessius storms through a corridor with his kendo stick in hand. He is yelling and everyone who sees him is quick to move out of his way. He walks further until he sees Graham Baker walking towards him. Baker doesn't move out of the way. Dessius holds up his kendo stick and growls at him but Baker stops and faces him.

GB: What you did out there, you did to someone I respect and someone I consider a friend. So when I win the Hardcore Title tonight, I'd be happy to face you and teach you how to really swing that thing.

Dessius continues to stare at Baker, who returns his gaze before turning and walking on towards the arena. Dessius stares after him before smashing his kendo stick against the wall.

Match 4: Nick Jameson v Graham Baker: Two-Out-Of-Three-Falls Deathmatch: Hardcore Title (written by Baker/Renegades):

As we open up to the Hardcore Title match, the ring has been set for war, with a variety of tables already set up in the corners and trash cans full of weaponry scattered about the ring floor. A hook hangs above the ring, where the Hardcore title will sit during the final stage of this match. A variety of tables sit around the outside of the ring, lined with implements of destruction. Out of interest of keeping safe, both Steven Deville and Mike Watson are seated at an announce table further up the ramp, with their table being replaced with a glass table.



MW: Three months of building, and here it is. The climactic final battle between The Aviator and The Real Horror as Graham Baker looks to claim Nick Jameson’s hardcore title in a two-out-of-three falls match that promises to be a bloodbath unlike anything we’ve seen here in Freedom Pro Wrestling.



SD: The match is intriguing, of course, but come on, Watson. You don’t really think that Baker has a shot here, do you? He’s not managed to pin Jameson once, let alone twice in the same match. If he does...well, i’ll be shocked, that’s all i’m saying.



MW: Baker’s shown a lot of heart coming off of his losing streak and has been on a tear since beating MDE at the All-Star Tag Team Classic. I think he’s going to shock a lot of people here tonight.

Before the two can continue, the opening bars to ‘Glory’ begin to play...before fading out as the opening lyrics to ‘Lie, Cheat, Steal’ by Run The Jewels begin to play. Smoke flows out from the stage before the beat drops, and Graham Baker emerges, letting out a roar as he rushes out and knee-slides onto the ramp. The crowd goes mad as Baker pulls his aviators off and tosses them to the side. His jacket, previously a bomber jacket, has been replaced by a black leather jacket with a fur collar and a spraypaint design of a flaming skull on the back. Baker tosses the jacket off as he approaches the ring, revealing his new tights-jet black, with olive drab highlights and faded paintings much like an old WWII fighter jet. He adjusts his gloves and elbow pads as he plays to the roaring crowd, from whom a ‘Graham Baker’ chant has already emerged.



MW: Crowd clearly behind Graham Baker here tonight! Let’s see how that factors into Nick Jameson’s performance.



As if on queue, the opening lyrics of ‘BREAK, BREAK, BREAK YOUR FUCKIN’ NECK’ ring out as Nick Jameson emerges from backstage, letting out a roar and holding his Hardcore title high. He grabs a beer from a man’s hand as he walks to the ramp, showered in boos from the capacity crowd, and downs it in a single gulp, tossing the empty can aside. He spits on a child as he gets close, causing the child’s father to approach him but security goes and quickly breaks the fight up. Jameson climbs up on the ring apron as he approaches it, tossing his sweatshirt to the side and meeting Graham Baker with an evil sneer. He gives Baker the finger and jeers at him, but Baker responds simply by making a finger gun and ‘shooting’ Jameson. The referee collects the Hardcore belt from Jameson, and the two competitors face off for a moment before the referee breaks them up. The ring announcer begins his procedurals.



SD: Such intensity between these two competitors, but I wouldn’t change my bet for the world. I think Jameson’s got this in the bag-two quick falls, and that’s that.



MW: You don’t think Baker will manage to score a single pin?



SD: No way! Baker might be talented...but Nick Jameson’s clearly out of his league. Jameson’s a seasoned competitor, a defending champion. What chance does a schlub like Graham Baker have against him?



As the ring announcer finishes, the bell rings and the two men circle one another. Graham notes the tables already set up in the corners of the ring-two with light tubes and two with nails-before he and Jameson go to lock up. The two men enter into a grapple, with each trying to gain leverage and force the other toward a table, but Baker manages to get an early advantage. He attempts to suplex Jameson through a light-tube table, but Jameson blocks the suplex and rolls away from Baker. The two stare at one another for a moment before locking up again. This time, Jameson goes for the early advantage and gets Baker in a headlock, looking to drive him into one of the tables, but Baker manages to reverse the hold into a waistlock! He hits Jameson with a german suplex into the mat, and looks to roll through and release-suplex Jameson into the corner table-but Jameson blocks it again and lands on his feet! He tries to drill Baker with a boot, but Baker avoids it and goes to catch Jameson in an ankle lock! Jameson responds with a fierce kick to Baker’s midsection, and wristlocks him, yanking him to the ground and kicking him in the left shoulder! Baker winces in pain as his previous injuries are tweaked, and Jameson goes to stomp his shoulder again, but Baker takes advantage of the wristlock and rolls out of it, pulling Jameson to the ground. He hits the ropes and goes for a double-stomp, but Jameson rolls away and out of the ring, eliciting a boo from the hot crowd.



MW: Surprisingly, not too much bloodshed early in the match! Jameson looks to match Baker’s technical skills before employing weaponry-maybe the two are wearing one another down before they get to the action?



SD: Jameson’s using his smarts to his benefit. The man’s a tactician, whether or not you all want to believe it!



Jameson looks to be taking a breather, and despite Graham Baker’s beckoning, he stays out of the ring. He goes to one of the trash cans, teasing hunting for a weapon...but instead returns to the ring, climbing up on the apron. Baker invites Jameson to lock up again, and the two do for a moment before Jameson drills Baker in the head with a knee. He follows up with a short-arm lariat, keeping wrist control and pulling Baker back to his feet before drilling him with another boot! Keeping Baker down, Jameson yanks his left arm back and looks to go for an armbreaker, but Baker manages to kip up to his feet and pull Jameson into a dropkick to the midsection! Baker takes advantage of the moment and looks to execute an armbreaker of his own, but Jameson fights out of it and shoves Baker into the corner, allowing Baker to stop short of the table! Jameson looks to send Baker through with a shoulderblock, but Baker ducks it and rolls out of the way, getting Jameson in a waistlock! He attempts to drill him through the corner-table-JAMESON ESCAPES! Jameson grabs Baker and, clearly having had enough, brutally Saito Suplexes him through the light tube table!



SD: Nick Jameson shows his superiority early!



Jameson drags Baker out and goes for the pin, hooking the leg!



ONE!



TW-BAKER KICKS OUT!



Jameson doesn’t give Baker a chance to rest, pulling him up into a powerbomb position and looking to run him through into the table, but as he does, Baker hits Jameson with a brutal Hurricanrana and sends him to the ground! Baker follows up as Jameson gets back to his feet with a brutal running dropkick to the head, and he picks him back up and quickly looks to go for a snap German suplex, but Jameson manages to avoid it, only to find himself trapped as Baker leglocks him and locks in an Indian Deathlock! Jameson tries to reverse the hold, but finds himself unable, and instead manages to break one of his legs free and kick Baker’s knee repeatedly, forcing Baker to break the hold. Jameson stumbles for a moment, and leans on the ropes to recover, taking only a moment BEFORE BARELY AVOIDING A BAKER SPEAR! BAKER SENDS HIMSELF THROUGH THE TABLE, AND JAMESON TAKES ADVANTAGE!



MW: Poor move by Graham Baker!



SD: Too many of those, and Jameson won’t even need to try to win this!



Jameson slides out from under the ring ropes and collects a chair from ringside, clanging it against the apron as Baker yanks a chunk of flourescent light tube glass out of his shoulder and shakes his head. As he does so, however, he narrowly avoids a Jameson chair-shot to the head! Baker ducks to avoid another and kicks out Jameson’s legs, but instead of going for another leg-lock, he climbs up to the middle rope and double-stomps Jameson’s left arm into the canvas! Jameson writhes in pain, and Baker looks to lock in the Emergency Landing on Jameson’s left arm, looking for a quick ending to the first fall of this match. The hold sets in, and Jameson looks to be in great pain, but he somehow manages to get to his feet and improvises a powerbomb onto the chair! Baker writhes in pain and Jameson stumbles away, holding his damaged arm with a pained, but furious expression!



Jameson grabs the chair, and looks to go to town on Graham Baker again, but Baker rolls to avoid the chairshot. Baker attempts to sweep out Jameson’s legs, but Jameson oversteps his legs and drops the chair to the side, stomping on Baker’s leg as he attempts another sweep and pulling him back to his feet. He attempts to hit Baker with a lariat, but Baker avoids it and hits a springboard lariat of his own, sending Jameson down to the canvas! Baker gets to his feet quickly and goes for the pin on Jameson!



ONE!



TW-JAMESON KICKS OUT!!



Baker immediately gets back to his feet and pulls Jameson up for a buckle-bomb to initiate the Ground Zero and put Jameson away quickly, but Jameson manages to drop from the hold AND HITS BAKER WITH A VICIOUS LOW BLOW!



MW: LOW BLOW! What a cheap move!



SD: Smart, in my mind! Baker couldn’t have seen that coming, now he’s at Jameson’s mercy!



As Baker drops to his knees, Jameson grabs the chair from the ground and brutally hits Baker with an unprotected chairshot to the head, busting him open, before Jameson rolls Baker through and holds his shoulders down!



ONE!



TWO!!



THREE!!!



The bell rings to signal the first fall, and as the ring crew goes to prepare the ring for the next stipulation, Jameson picks Baker up and brutally powerbombs him into one of the nailboard tables, before falling back to the opposing corner. Baker’s stunned as the referee checks on him, but at his insistence he wants to continue despite clearly having taken a bit of damage. The ring ropes go down, and the ring crew begins lining the ring with barbed wire. The crowd boos Jameson heavily, but Jameson reigns it in, smiling widely and staring at Graham Baker with dark thoughts.



MW: A series of brutal attacks win Nick Jameson the first fall over Graham Baker in what I can only describe as a disappointing start to the match. Will Graham Baker be able to come back?



SD: Baker’s better off quitting now-a continued match against Nick Jameson might earn him more than an early night...it might even earn him a trip to the hospital!



The barbed wire ropes go up, and, after confirming with each participant again, the referee begins the next stage of the match. Nick Jameson goes for an early assault to force Baker into the corner, but Graham Baker is quick despite his injuries and manages to take advantage, rolling Jameson through in a schoolboy and breaking the roll-up, before drilling Jameson with a seated dropkick! Jameson’s stunned, but Baker’s offensive isn’t quite finished as he pulls Jameson back to his feet and catches him in a dragon suplex, attempting a suplex into the barbed wire. Jameson avoids it, however, and shoves Baker off, going for a running shoulder-block and a suplex of his own! Baker manages to avoid the suplex, rolling under Jameson and catching him in a waistlock! He drills Jameson with two German Suplexes back-to-back, before hitting him with a snap German AND SENDING HIM INTO THE BARBED WIRE! Jameson looks to be in moderate pain, but only for a moment as Graham Baker follows up by getting a running start and dropkicking Jameson further into the wire! Jameson screams out in pain, and Baker yanks him off of the wire, yanking him down by his injured arm and attempting to lock in the Emergency Landing! This time, he takes advantage of the glass shards from the light tube table, and shoves Jameson’s arm into them, eliciting a scream of pain from Nick Jameson! Jameson writhes in pain, and struggles against the hold, forcing himself up onto his shoulder at one point and forcing Baker to adapt the hold, giving Jameson an out that he takes and shoving Baker off. Jameson’s arm hangs bloodied and loose at his side for a moment as he attempts to shake the pain off, while Graham Baker gets back to his feet. The crowd goes wild.



As the two get back to their feet, Baker taunts Jameson with a lock-up and motions toward his injured arm, but Jameson responds in rage with a brutal lariat from his uninjured arm. Baker ducks it, and responds by kicking Jameson’s legs out from beneath him, hitting the corner and executing another double-stomp onto Jameson’s chest, knocking the wind out of him. Baker rolls away, and goes for a senton on Jameson, but Jameson rolls out of the ring and evades Baker once again. Baker takes the advantage and rolls out of the ring, collecting two glass panes from ringside and sliding them in, alongside a pair of chairs. He rolls back in the ring, watching as Jameson collects a bundle of light tubes and another bag of tacks, and simply waits while Jameson struggles to enter the ring. The two have a staredown, and Jameson breaks the bind on the bundle of tubes, grabbing one and very suddenly lunging toward Baker, who manages to avoid the tube with a flip and responds with a headkick. Jameson drops the tube, which shatters into dust, but as Baker goes to hit the turnbuckle and flip onto Jameson, Jameson manages to hit a one-armed spinebuster onto the remaining shards of the tube! He quickly goes to pin Baker!



ONE!



TWO!



TH-BAKER KICKS OUT! Jameson looks furious, and stomps Baker’s arm and body down into the glass shards, causing Baker himself to writhe in pain. Jameson notes the panes of glass, and yanks one up with his uninjured arm, setting it up in against the barbed wire. He goes to do the same with the other, and then turns his attention to Baker, who’s slowly getting back to his feet. Jameson brutally kicks Baker in the head, before stomping on his neck, and attempting to figure out how to maneuver Baker into the panes of glass and onto the ring floor with only one arm.



MW: What brutality we’re witnessing here! These two men clearly want nothing but to win this match-no matter the cost to their own body, or that of their opponent!



SD: That mentality is what’s going to give Jameson the edge here! Whenever Nick Jameson enters the ring, the only thing on his mind is winning, no matter who or what he has to break to accomplish that goal!



Jameson finally figures out his plan of action, and goes to pick Graham Baker up with a one-armed powerbomb, but as he gets close, Baker manages to break his hold with ease and pull him down into an Emergency Landing on his other arm! Baker breaks the hold quickly, hitting Jameson with a kick to the head as Jameson attempts to get back to his feet, before yanking him up. He drills him with two stiff kicks to the head, before pulling him back to his feet and whipping him into the barbed wire! Baker goes for a lariat, but Jameson manages to duck it and send Baker himself into the barbed wire, eliciting a shout of pain before Jameson manages to boot Baker’s chest further into the wire, ripping him away from it a moment later and drilling him with a Lights Out Suplex into the turnbuckles! Baker slumps down in the remains of the table previously in the corner, before Jameson follows up with a running boot to the corner, sending Baker’s head back into the turnbuckle! Jameson looks at the stunned Baker, and considers going further for a moment, before turning back to the arsenal of weapons he’s brought into the ring. He rolls out for a moment, his back barely scratching the barbed wire, and grabs a plastic bag from the trash can before rolling back in. He drops it on the ground, and grabs two light tubes in one hand, pulling Baker up with his weakened arm and smashing both tubes over his head. He grabs another two, and repeats the process, before opening up the plastic bag and revealing salt and a lemon. He throws the salt in Baker’s eyes and wounds on his face, before crushing the lemon over his bloodied wounds and following up with another light tube. Baker writhes in pain and lets out several moans as the crowd showers Jameson in boos. He holds his arms out to the sides, and goes to get Baker to his feet.



MW: Things aren’t looking too good for Graham Baker here, I’m starting to worry we may not even make it to the third round.



SD: No way. Jameson’s got this one in the bag!



Jameson pulls Baker up into a crucifix position for the Stigmata bomb, doing his best with his injured arm but clearly struggling. He gets Baker up on his shoulders, but as he attempts to fully go through with the move, Baker manages to escape by tweaking Jameson’s arm. Baker hits Jameson with a dropkick mere moments after falling from the move, and then another, before he whips Jameson into the glass panes. He follows up by attempting another dropkick that Jameson avoids, sending Baker into the pane and cracking it a bit but not shattering it. Jameson pulls Baker back up and goes for a running powerbomb toss, but Baker slips out of it once again and kicks Jameson in the back of the leg, before hitting him with a brutal falling kick to the side of his head, stunning him! Baker whips Jameson into the barbed wire opposite the panes of glass, before hitting him with a lightning fast hurricanrana!



MW: Baker’s making a comeback!



While Jameson attempts to get back to his feet on one arm, Baker drills him with another dropkick to the head, before taking the remainder of the light tube bundle and laying it under Jameson’s head. He gets a running start and hits Jameson with a CURBSTOMP THROUGH THE LIGHT TUBE BUNDLE!



SD/MW: Good lord!



Baker goes for the pin!



ONE!



TWO!!



THRE-NO!!! NICK JAMESON KICKS OUT! JAMESON GRABS FOR BAKER, BUT BAKER’S TOO QUICK! Jameson’s fueled by pure rage at this point, making swings with his wounded arm, which Baker takes advantage of and stomps his arm into the ground again, sending him writhing in pain. Baker gets Jameson in a waistlock...and goes for a deadlift German suplex, bringing Jameson down on his damaged arm!



ONE!



TWO!!



THR-NO! JAMESON’S OUT AGAIN!



Baker wastes no time, pulling Jameson back to his feet and dodging a lariat attempt before he shoves Jameson back toward the glass panes. The stumbling Jameson is unaware of what’s happening for the moment as Baker drills him with a dropkick, SENDING HIM THROUGH THE GLASS AND TUMBLING OVER THE BARBED WIRE! Shattered glass and wire rain down around Nick Jameson as he gets caught on the apron, blood pouring from open wounds in his back and chest and onto the floor below. Baker slides under the bottom rope, clearly exhausted by his burst of movement, and looks to a table at ringside. The crowd intensifies as Baker grabs Jameson, but Jameson gets the advantage and quickly shifts the crowd back to a shower of boos! Jameson attempts to grab Baker in an improvised Devil’s Wings...but Baker manages to yank Jameson’s arm fully out of its socket, causing the man to shout out in pain! Baker escapes, and climbs back up on the apron, pulling Jameson into position…



SD: What the hell’s he doing? This isn’t in his playbook!



MW: Baker busting out yet another new move to beat Nick Jameson, perhaps?



Baker pulls Jameson into position for an over-the-shoulder belly-to-back piledriver! Jameson fights against it, but he’s too weak as Baker shouts out in triumph and drives both himself and Jameson through the glass table! Both men lay in shards of wood and glass on the ground, Jameson looking to be worse for wear but Baker not looking much better. Both men are covered in wounds and bloodied, and Baker’s first to his feet. He picks Jameson up, rolling him back under the bottom rope and giving him a kick to the head for good measure before rolling him fully in. He slides under the rope, and weakly hooks Jameson’s leg and lays all of his weight atop of him.



ONE!



TWO!!



THREE!!!



The bell rings once again, signalling the second fall as a win for Graham Baker. Baker rolls off of Jameson and back to his corner as Jameson’s taken back to his by the referee. Despite the obvious injuries to both men, they both announce that they wish to continue, and the crowd gets even hotter.



MW: Baker manages to overcome Nick Jameson and score the second fall through the use of an Air Raid Crash, but at what cost? Both men are brutalized, and they’re going into what we can easily consider the hardest part of this match...a ladder match.



SD: I have to admit...Baker’s proving me wrong once again. His heart is matching up to Jameson’s strength, but i’m sure Jameson will pull through in the end! He has to! His title reign’s too good to end here!



MW: Baker’s still in this, we’ll see what happens.



The bell rings, signalling the start to the final round as the hardcore championship dangles from the ceiling. Several tables around the ring are lit aflame, creating the illusion of a ring of fire in the barbed-wire covered ring. Four ladders have been positioned in the four corners of the ring, as well, and Nick Jameson and Graham Baker get back to their feet. Baker immediately goes for a chair as Jameson lunges at him, and he quickly breaks it over Jameson’s head to little impact as Jameson swings toward him, collapsing from the damage a moment later. Baker looks for another chair, but finds himself empty, and looks to the crowd.



GB: Can a guy get a fucking chair in here?!



The crowd looks confused for a moment, before looking to the folding chairs below them. Suddenly, the crowd gets more and more heated as some get up and fold their chairs.



MW: He can’t be serious.



SD: There’s no way.



GB: You heard me! Come on, guys, show me some love!



The crowd gets hotter and hotter.



SD: A chair riot!? Here?! In Freedom Pro Wrestling?!



MW: Anything can happen, I suppose.



GB: ONE LAST TIME! CAN GRAHAM BAKER GET A FUCKING CHAIR?!



The crowd explodes with an intense amount of noise, and suddenly a shower of chairs rain into the ring, with Baker and Jameson falling off to opposite sides as the chairs rain down like hail. The ring crew and referee dive for cover as scenes of classic ECW are invoked, with the crowd becoming molten hot as the chair rain ceases. Chants of ‘Fuck him up Baker, fuck him up’ and ‘Let’s go Baker’ rain down, and for a moment, Graham Baker takes it all in, before realizing that Nick Jameson is up and armed across the ring from him. Baker grabs a chair of his own, and the two rush one another, with Jameson getting the advantage and hitting Baker in the stomach before following up with a violent overhand swing. Baker takes most of the hit on his own chair, before breaking it over Jameson’s head once again. The two continue their chair warfare, before Jameson manages to push through and get Baker up for a one-armed spinebuster, throwing him down on his damaged shoulder and back directly onto the pile of chairs. Baker yells out in pain, and Jameson stomps Baker’s injured shoulder down into the chairs again, before looking to the flaming tables at ringside near the breached barbed wire that he went through. A vicious look befalls his face, and he goes to pull Baker back to his feet.



MW: At this point in the match, if either of those men go through those tables...I think that’d be it!



SD: Jameson knows that, and he’s looking to capitalize on it early!



Jameson pulls Baker up, and goes for a one-armed powerbomb, but Baker manages to avoid it and drop down to the ring floor, causing Jameson to nearly fall from the apron! Baker yanks his legs down and slams Jameson’s back on the apron before yanking him down entirely! Baker gets Jameson in a waistlock, but Jameson fights out of it and gets Baker in position for a Saito suplex! He executes it, but falls short as Baker manages to avoid hitting the table and takes his hit on the ring floor. He sweeps Jameson’s leg out from beneath him, and scrambles up onto the apron before hitting Jameson with a double-stomp directly on the neck and back! Jameson cries out in pain, and holds his neck while Baker climbs back into the ring, collecting a ladder and setting it up.



MW: Baker going for the title early! Can he get it down before Jameson gets back to his feet?!



SD: God, I hope not!



The crowd gets louder and louder as Baker begins climbing up the ladder, clearly struggling and exhausted. Baker takes a moment to wipe blood and sweat out of his eyes, leaning against the ladder for a moment and failing to notice Nick Jameson getting back into the ring, struggling but his rage boiling over. Jameson grabs hold of the ladder as Baker reaches the top, his hand an inch away from the belt...and shoves it over. The crowd cries out.



MW: NO!!!



SD: YES!!!



Baker manages to catch himself on the barbed wire as he falls from the ladder, dangling half on/half off and pulling himself up on the apron as Nick Jameson approaches, chair in hand. The ladder bounces back, and Jameson swings the chair, missing Baker as he ducks it. Baker exposes himself once again, however-



SD: LOW BLOW FROM NICK JAMESON! THIS IS OVER!!



Jameson low-blows Graham Baker once again, before booting him off of the apron and onto the ring floor. He considers going to finish Baker off...and holds it off, looking up to the hardcore title dangling from the sky. He collects a ladder, and struggles to set it up, not noticing Baker slowly getting to his feet by the apron. While he sets it up and postures to the crowd, Baker slides back into the ring, breathing shallowly. Blood pours from his hands, chest, forehead, and back, and his tights have tears throughout, but he hasn’t given up yet. He watches Jameson as he begins scaling the ladder, praying for the right moment as he gets to his feet, his legs, back, and arm aching. While Jameson gets closer and closer to the top, the crowd begins to boo louder and louder, their noise threatening to turn riotous as Baker waits for the right time.



Then, as Jameson gets to the top rung and flips the crowd off, Baker strikes. He shoves the ladder with all of his remaining strength, sending Nick Jameson and the ladder downward. Jameson releases the ladder and looks to copy Baker’s move...but to his dismay, there is no barbed wire to grasp onto on the breached side. He looks down and sees only a fiery inferno awaiting him, and falls back-first through two overlapped flaming tables, the flames overcoming him as he lands, glass and wood shattering and fragmenting around him and his screams echoing into the crowd. The crowd turns white hot once again as Baker takes the third ladder, setting it up.



SD: This can’t be happening.



MW: I’m in disbelief...but i’m not opposed to it. Graham Baker has outplayed Nick Jameson for the final time.



Baker scales the ladder, keeping his eyes on the swarm of medics who surround the struggling Nick Jameson, but keeping himself moving. He reaches the top rung and lets the crowd’s noise surround him, alongside the clashing of chairs and stomping of feet and rage of the flames. Baker grabs the belt at its links, and yanks it, freeing it from the hook. He holds it in his hands as the bell rings, signalling the final ‘fall’...and declaring Graham Baker as the new Freedom Pro Wrestling Hardcore Champion.

Winner and New Hardcore Champion: Graham Baker



The crowd explodes.



MW: The boyhood dream achieved! Graham Baker, a man who had no certain future here in Freedom Pro mere months ago, has claimed the Freedom Pro Wrestling Hardcore Title! I’m in absolute disbelief!



SD: I...have to admit, Graham Baker has once again proven me wrong. I can’t say there is a ceiling for him anymore...he’s beaten Jameson and MDE in the past three months, he’s reclaimed almost every loss since his debut and then some...what comes next for Graham Baker?



MW: Who knows? All I know is that he’s our new Hardcore champion!



Baker falls to his knees as he steps down from the ladder, which the ring crew takes away to give him his moment. He holds the belt in his hands, before crying out in triumph with the crowd. He leaves the ring, blood and sweat pouring off of him as he runs out into the crowd, rushing out through the audience and likely heading to celebrate his biggest victory to date...

Match 5: The Invaders v Jack Sevren and Bobby O: Tag Team Championships (written by Mason):

MW: Wow! What an announcement by Jim Houston.
SD: The Free-1? I'm all in!
MW: Twelve of our best roster members duking it out for what sounds like a very prestigious prize. But right now, we have four of them duking it out in our next match. It's time for our Tag Team title match. The challengers Bobby O and Jack Sevren have been through hell, both in the tournament they won to become number one contenders and then The Invaders have been antagonising them ever since. But tonight, Bobby and Jack get a chance to prove it’s all been worth it with a chance to become FPW Tag Team Champions.”



Steven Deville(SD): “But there's no chance of that happening. No one has been able to defeat Haych and Dario for the Tag Team Titles in the months that they’ve held them; and no one ever will. The only time The Invaders are going to drop those belts is when they decide that they’re too old to keep wrestling. They’re going to be FPW tag team champions forever.”



Steven’s praising of The Invaders is cut off as “Shattered Skies” plays, but Bobby O’s video package is displayed on the tron. The two make a unified entrance, focused solely on the ring.



MW: “You can see how determined these two competitors are here tonight. Normally Bobby and occasionally Jack will interact with the fans on their way to the ring, but not tonight. Tonight is all about the FPW Tag Team titles.”



“Shattered Skies” cuts out and the cheering from the fans is made audible as their heros begin to warm up in the ring. Then the lights go out and “Killing In The Name Of” begins to play. Now the crowd boos as the spotlights activate and The Invaders make their entrance.



SD: “The crowd can boo all they want, nothing going to change the fact the Haych and Dario are simply the better team and that no matter how hard Jack and Bobby try, they’re not going to be able to defeat them.”



Mike rolls his eyes at Steven’s endless praise of The Invaders. The lights in the area turn back on aas Mike says “It looks like Jack Sevren is going to start the match for his team, while Haych and Dario are having a discussion over who will start.”



Haych says one last thing to Dario before stepping onto the ring apron. Dario nods and turns to face Jack. The bell rings and Bobby immediately tags himself in! Jack looks surprised as Bobby steps into the ring, glaring daggers at Dario. Jack steps back out onto the apron as Bobby and Dario circle each other.



MW: :Bobby clearly hasn’t forgotten Dario’s taunted during his match against Haych.”



SD: “And he’s making a huge mistake by doing this, he’s letting his emotions get the better of him. You have to remain calm and in control any time you’re in the ring.”



Meanwhile, Dario smirks and backs into his corner, tagging in Haych.



SD: “This is what I’m talking about. Dario is keeping a cool head going into this match, and not only controlling his emotions,but also playing mind games with his opponents. These kinds of things show that The Invaders are the superior tag team.



MW: “So we kick off this match with a rematch from The Lost World, as Bobby O and Haych lock up in the center of the ring.”



The two jockey for position for a moment before Bobby locks in a wristlock. Haych tries to grab Bobby’s arm with his spare hand, but Bobby wrenches on his trapped arm and Haych winces in pain and instead reaches for the rope. After a moment’s struggle, Haych grabbed the rope and the ref forced Bobby to let go. After taking a moment to stretch his arm, Haych rushes Bobby, hoping to catch him off guard with a clothesline. But Bobby was ready and ducked the clothesline, and when Haych rebounded off the far ropes, Bobby dropped him with a clothesline of his own.



“Bobby taking advantage in the early part of this match.” Mike says as Bobby drops into a cover.



Steven smirks as Haych kicks out early. “He’s hit a single strike, that’s not enough to win the match.”



Bobby pulled Haych to his feet and whipped him into his corner. Bobby charged in after him and connected with another clothesline. While Bobby held Haych in the corner, Jack tagged himself in and stepped into the center of the ring. Then Bobby whipped Haych towards him and Jack caught him with a dropkick. Looking to press his advantage, Jack pulled Haych to a standing position and whipped him to the ropes, looking to connect with another shot. But Haych was prepared and flattened Jack with a running shoulder tackle. Then Haych dragged him to his corner and tagged in Dario. Dario climbed to the top turnbuckle as Haych lifted and dropped Jack with a scoop slam, then flew through the air to connect with a diving elbow drop on Jack’s prone body. He goes for a cover, but Jack lifts the shoulder up at two.



MW: “Both teams showing off effective double team maneuvers here tonight. I could see this match turning into a game of one-upsmanship very quickly.”



Back in the ring, Dario hold Jack in a rear chinlock, wrenching on his neck. “Give up, Sevren!” he yells. On the apron, Bobby begins to pace back and forth, watching as his partner tries in vain to escape.



Finally, accompanied by cheers from the crowd, Jack rises to his feet. The cocky look on Dario’s face fades away as he loses control, until he grabs Sevren by the hair and pulls him down to the mat. The crowd boos as Dario turns and gives the camera a smirk. Dario then drags Jack to the edge of the ring and, using the ropes to lift himself, delivers a series of knee drops to Bobby’s chest. Then he lifts Jack to his feet and whips him to the ropes, catching him with a hurricanrana on the rebound and grabbing Jack’s legs to make the cover.



1!...2!.Jack kicks out.



MW: “Dario has really taken control of this match.”



SD: “Of course he has. It’s just like I was saying before, The Invaders are just better than Jack and Bobby. Look what they’re doing now, with Dario tagging in Haych. These quick tags allow them to constantly keep a fresh man in the ring while they punish the opponent they’ve isolated from his partner. It’s brilliant tag team wrestling.”



Haych was now punishing Jack, pounding away at him in the corner. After ten strikes, the referee admonished him, but Haych just kept punching, only stopping when the ref began to force himself between the two. Then he ran across the ring to gain momentum before rebounding and connecting with a stinger splash. Then he pulled Jack to the center of the ring and set up for the exploder suplex.



But as he lifted, Jack connected with an elbow strike! This stunned Haych enough that he lowered him, He tried again, but again Jack hit him with an elbow.Jack hit another elbow, and then another. On the third strike, Haych released his hold on Jack and took a step back.Jack took advantage and uncorked a quick chop.



But Haych was unfazed, merely looking down at his chest and then glaring at Jack. Jack tried again, hitting Haych with a withering chop. But Haych still wasn’t affected, in fact, it was Jack who noticeably winced. Haych motioned for Jack to try again, and Jack made it look like he would, but intentionally missed, instead connecting with a kick to Haych’s knee. This time Haych winced, so Jack did it again, and this time Haych stumbled. Jack ran to the ropes and rebounded, but before he could hit anything, Haych caught him with a kick to the gut and followed it up with a snap suplex.



Perhaps unconsciously, Jack rolled to the outside of the ring. He got to his feet and yelled something to Haych, who was still in the ring. But it was Dario who attacked him, blindsiding him with a forearm smash and then laying into him with repeated stomps. Bobby made to jump off the apron and assist his partner, but Haych grabbed him, pulled him into the ring, and started raining down punches. The ref, who was yelling at Dario on the outside, failed to notice this, and Haych tossed Bobby outside the ring before the ref could turn around. Dario meanwhile backed off of Jack and let the referee start his ten-count.



MW: “The Invaders getting dangerously close to a disqualification there, but the thought of losing their precious tag belts was enough to make them play by the rules.”



SD: “They were just bending the rules to their advantage. Nothing wrong with that, it’s just something you do when you’re the greatest tag team in FPW history. And it's working, the referee’s at a count of seven now, Jack has to get back in the ring.



Jack did so, rolling back into the ring. But as he got to his feet, Haych sank a knee into his stomach. Jack doubled over and Haych took advantage by lifting him into a powerbomb position. He turned around so that the majority of the ring was in front of him. He charged forward, looking to deliver the running powerbomb, but Jack rolls through and turns it into a sunset flip! He hooks Haych's shoulders with his legs, holding him down for the cover.



1!...2!..Haych kicks out!



MW: “So close for Jack Sevren. But he's not done yet.”



Jack had rolled back to his feet upon Haych's kick out and now delivered a penalty kick that flattened Haych. But instead of going for another cover, Jack turned and stumbled to his corner, hoping to tag in Bobby.



Right before their hands made contact however, Bobby was yanked off the apron and whipped into the barricade by Dario.



Dario turned to Jack, who was now slumped over and holding himself up using the top turnbuckle, and gave an evil grin. Jack turned to face Haych again, only to be crushed under a stinger splash. Haych then pulled him back into the center of the ring and delivered a massive backbreaker, then went for the cover.



1!...2!..



MW: “Bobby diving in to break up the pin!”



SD: “If Dario had done just a little more damage to Bobby a moment ago, this match would be over. That’s how good of a team The Invaders are.”



Dario charged into the ring, glaring at Bobby. Bobby rolled to the outside and pulled Dario out with him. The two started brawling, exchanging strike after strike.



Haych and the referee were distracted for a moment watching the two of them. And when Haych turned his attention back to the opponent in the ring, Jack surprised him with a pair of fingers to the eyes! The ref turned around at Haych’s cry of pain and Jack trapped Haych with a small package!



1!...2!..Haych gets his shoulder up! But before he could get to his feet, Jack trapped him in a kneebar.



MW: “Jack trying to go for a submission victory here.”



SD: “I have to admit, that’s an interesting strategy. I can’t remember ever seeing either of The Invaders tapping out, but I also can’t remember anyone ever trying to make them tap out. We’ll have to see how it works for Jack and Bobby.”



After struggling for several moments, Haych grabbed the bottom rope and forced the break. He pulled himself to his feet and rushed Jack, who ducked and instead clotheslined Haych over the top rope. Meanwhile, Bobby had fought off Dario to buy himself enough time to jump onto the ring apron. Jack ran to his corner and finally tagged in his partner.



Upon receiving the tag, Bobby leapt off the apron and hit a flying forearm smash on Dario, taking him out for the time being. He then ran around the corner of the ring and dropped Haych with a clothesline before tossing him pack into the ring. Bobby rolled in after him and just as Haych got back to his feet, Bobby knocked him back down with a tilt-a-whirl DDT.



MW: “Bobby changing the complexion of this match in just a few short moments. Now going for the cover.”



1!...2!.Haych powers out!



Bobby looks disappointed for a moment before pulling Haych to his feet and sets up a front facelock.



MW: “Bobby looking for something big here…”



Bobby tries to lift Haych, but the Samoan’s larger frame prevented this. He tries again, and this time makes a bit more progress, but still is forced to set Haych back on his feet.



SD: “Will Bobby just give it up already? He’s clearly not strong enough to connect with any sort of suplex on the powerhouse of The Invaders.”



But Bobby proves Steven wrong on his third attempt, lifting Haych off his feet and connecting with a Falcon’s Arrow, which he then transitions into the arm bar.



MW: “Bobby targeting Haych’s arm, we know that he will finish opponents with the O Snap submission, so he’s trying to soften his opponent up for that maneuver.”



But Haych had learned from his last encounter with Bobby and rolled into the armbar, forcing Bobby’s shoulders to the mat.



1!..Bobby quickly kicked out and got to his feet first. Haych followed him up a second later and rushed forward to grab him, but was met with a powerslam from Bobby. But lifting the much larger Haych twice in such quick succession forced Bobby to pause for just a moment, holding his back, and Haych used this opportunity to lunge into his corner and tag in Dario.



The high-flyer jumped over the top rope and ran at Bobby. He went for a leg lariat, but Bobby ducked under his leg and Dario crashed to the mat. As Dario made to get back to his feet, Bobby dove and locked in a jackknife cover!



1!...2!..Kick-out!



The two got to their feet facing opposite directions, but they both instantly turned to face each other. Dario unleashed a massive right hand that turned Bobby back around and then went for a backslide!



SD: “Shoulders down!”



1!...2!..Kick-out!



Bobby rolls backwards to get back to his feet and ducks as Dario swung a wild hook and got him with a school boy roll-up!



1!...2!..Kick-out!



The two competitors stand up once again, and Dario floors Bobby with a roundhouse kick! He dropped into a deep cover, hooking both legs.



1!...2!..Bobby kicks out!



They both get to their feet and pause for a minute, staring at each other. The crowd breaks into a round of applause for the rapid-fire sequence.



MW: “An amazing series of near falls from both men.”



The two continued their staredown for a moment before Haych slid into the ring and ran at Bobby. Bobby ducked his swing and caught him with a superkick! Then Jack rushed into the ring and charged Dario, only to be met with a superkick!



Bobby and Dario now returned their attention to one another. They circled each other, making small, sudden movements, hoping to goad the other into making the first move. They made another rotation around the ring, before they each superkicked their opponent’s partner again as they made it back to their feet. Jack and Haych rolled out of the ring as Dario tilted his head and smirked at Bobby, who kept his expression neutral.



Then Dario stepped forward, looking to hit Bobby with a superkick. Bobby ducked and went for one of his own. Dario backflipped out of range and tried for another superkick. Bobby dove into a forward roll to get out of the way and, upon returning to his feet, attempted to catch Dario again with a superkick. Dario sidestepped Bobby’s attempt and threw another superkick. Bobby caught this one and tossed Dario’s leg towards the ground, but was unprepared for Dario to suddenly bring his leg back up and finally land a superkick!



Now, with Bobby flat on his back in the middle of the ring, Dario stepped onto the apron and then began to climb the turnbuckles. He paused for a moment, perched on the top rope, before leaping and hitting a picture perfect 450 splash.



SD: “Dario hooking the leg for the cover and this match is over.”



But once again, Steven was wrong, as Jack pulled the referee out of the ring, preventing him from making the three count. After a moment of confusion as to why the ref had stopped counting, Dario saw him outside the ring and understood. His initial look of anger slowly morphed into an evil grin. He rolled out of the ring and began searching under the apron. A few seconds later he stepped back into the ring, now wielding a kendo stick. He swung it experimentally as Bobby staggered back to his feet.



And then, as Bobby turned around to face his opponent, Dario swung. But just a second before it made contact with Bobby’s flesh, Haych grabbed it. Dario looked at him in confusion, and Haych pointed at the referee, who was crawling back into the ring. Dario nodded and let go of the kendo stick, which Haych tossed to the side. Refocusing on Bobby, Dario hit him with a snapmare that he quickly transitioned into a chinlock.



Bobby struggled for several moments, trying in vain to lift Dario’s arm from under his chin. But no matter how hard he tried, Dario held on, refusing to let his opponent escape. “You’re going nowhere Bobby!” he yelled. And for a moment, it looked like he would be right as Bobby continued to remain trapped.



But then, to Dario’s surprise and anger, Bobby started to rise to a vertical base. He wasn’t quite free, but he had his feet under him, and that lessened the pressure somewhat. Right when it looked like Bobby would break free, Dario planted his foot in the back of Bobby’s knee, forcing him back to the ground. At first the crowd boos at this act, but a second later, they started to clap. Not for Dario, but for Bobby. In perfect unison, they clapped, willing Bobby to get back to his feet. And Bobby began to draw from the energy of the crowd, fighting his back to his feet once again. The tempo of the clapping began to increase, while still maintaining the perfect unison.



But then something among the crowd. The perfect rhythm they’d maintained so far began to falter, the claps becoming irregular.



MW: “Some kind of commotion is going on in the crowd. What’s happening out there?”



The cause of the commotion quickly became apparent, as Marcus Allen Jones emerged from the crowd and jumped over the barricade. As soon as Haych saw his TakeOver leader, he appeared to step into the ring, distracting the referee and allowing Marcus to slide under the bottom rope. Marcus smirked at the booing crowd. While Haych continued to argue with the ref, Marcus, with exaggerated care, lined up for a punch on Bobby. Bobby saw what was coming and struggled violently, but Dario’s grip was too strong, there was nowhere he could go.



And then Marcus swung, but not at Bobby. With all the force he could put behind the swing, Marcus crashed his fist into Dario’s face. Dario instinctively let go of Bobby, who fell to the floor, and stumbled back before collapsing.



A stunned silence fell over the arena. No one understood what had just happened. And then several things happened at once to break the silence. Steven Deville screamed “what the hell!” and the crowd started murmuring to each other. No one could understand why Marcus had just punched his lieutenant.



But the loudest disturbance was Haych. When he saw his partner, and more importantly, his blood brother, fall to the ground, he uncharacteristically cried out. The crowd were stunned back into silence as the normally laconic Haych seemed to lose control of his emotions and step into the ring, yelling something at Marcus. Haych gets right in Marcus’s face and continues yelling. Marcus says something in response, but his eyes are in the ref, who had turned around when Haych cried out.



The ref as standing there with his arms outstretched in confusion, clearly seeing that Marcus interfered in the match, but not understanding why. He begins to motion for the bell to be rung to end the match, but stops. Out of the corner of his eye, hs sees Marcus’s face split into a devilish smile.



SD: *gasps* “He’s trying to get Jack and Bobby disqualified!”



The crowd had realized this too and started chanting “NO!” but they go quiet when the ref points at Marcus. “This match isn’t ending like that. Get out of here!” and he makes the motion to eject Marcus. Marcus absolutely loses it, screaming and getting in the ref’s face. But the ref held his ground, pointing to the back. Marcus started pacing the ring, refusing to leave. But then a group of security guards, including a particularly burly pair, emerged from the back and began to make their way to the ring. Marcus looked around the ring and realized he was alone, Haych was checking on Dario, who had just barely made it back to his feet. Finally, Marcus rolled under the bottom rope and fled, escaping through the crowd back the way he’d come.



Amidst all this confusion, Bobby had crawled his way to his corner and now tagged in Jack. He stepped into the ring and wasted no time, running at Dario, taking him down with a quick leg sweep and then raining punches down on his grounded form.Then he pulled him to his feet and tossed him to the corner, where he hit a beautiful tornado DDT. But somehow, Dario managed to get to his feet before Jack could press his advantage. He staggered to his corner and tagged out.



If he was expecting the larger Haych to fare better against Jack Sevren however, he was wrong. Haych rushed Jack, looking for a clothesline, but Jack ducked. Letting Haych’s momentum carry him forward, Jack locked in a waistlock and, in an amazing feat of strength, lifted Haych with a german suplex. But Jack didn’t go for the cover, instead he climbed to the top rope and flew through the air with a devastating knee drop. Now he hooked Haych’s leg and attempted to win the match.



1!...2!..Haych just barely kicked out!



Jack stood up, maintaining his grip on Haych’s leg. Caught up in the heat of the moment, he let out a quick “WOO!” as he went for the figure four. But this cost him, as Dario stormed back into the ring and took him off his feet with a forearm smash to the back of the head. Now it was Dario who dropped into a ground and pound, laying into Jack with vicious forearms and elbows. Being the illegal competitor, the referee began to reprimand Dario. But Dario ignored him, choosing instead to continue pounding on Jack! The referee gave him another warning, but Dario just kept striking, a slightly insane look coming over his face.



The ref began to warn him again, making it clear that this was the final warning, but it didn’t matter, because Bobby charged into the ring and pulled Dario off of his partner! Now the two of them resumed their brawl from before, each trying to beat the other senseless. Dario took control with a series of quick strikes and then whipped Bobby to the ropes. But instead of rebounding, Bobby held on. Dario tried to close the distance, met him halfway with a flapjack, dropping Dario face-first onto the mat! Bobby ran to the parallel ropes to gain momentum and the delivered a thunderous curb stomp!



As Bobby rolled out of the ring and dragged Dario with him, Jack resumed his attack on Haych, grabbing his leg and setting up for the figure four. But as he stepped through, Haych caught him in a small package!



1!...2!..Kick-out!



MW: “Jack kicking out at the last possible fraction of a second, and he’s still holding on to Haych’s leg.”



And as Jack stood back up, he stepped through one more time and locked in the figure four! Haych didn’t cry out in pain like most would in that position, but the expression on his face noticeably changed to one of pain. Despite this obvious pain, however, he refused to tap out. He continued to hold on, reaching for the bottom rope and prevent the match from ending. He held on long enough in fact, that Dario was able to recover and slid into the ring, clearly hoping to break up the submission. But Bobby intercepted him with an RKO! Bobby returned to his feet just as Haych gave a roar of pain and defiance and slapped his hand on the mat, ending the match!

Winner and New Tag Team Champions: Jack Sevren and Bobby O.



For all their differing opinions through the night, Mike and Steven speak with one voice here. “Oh my god!” they both exclaim.



Here are your winners, and NEW FPW Tag Team Champions, Jack Sevren and Bobby O!



The ref hands the belts to Jack and Bobby, who throw them over their shoulders and hug in the middle of the ring.



MW: “Everything these two men have gone through over the past few months, the hellacious tournament, the physical and psychological warfare, everything has been leading to this moment. Congratulations to Jack Sevren and Bobby O, the new FPW Tag Team Champions!”

A video appears on the screen:

147 days.
11 hours.
14 minutes.
12 seconds.

Tick tock.
Tick tock.
Tick tock.

Becoming.

Match 6: Gauntlet Match: FPW Championship

MW: And now its main event time. We know there will be seven entrants, five of which we already know, and we know the winner will be crowned FPW Champion.
SD: It's time for the true FPW Champion to take his crown. Step up Marcus Allen Jones.
MW: It may not be that simple, Steven, as you know. How much of an impact will the order of entry be in this match?
SD: It's crucial. The calibre of these wrestlers is so high that each individual match could easily go twenty to thirty minutes. Enter early and that's a serious disadvantage. I'll put my money on whoever enters last.
MW: Put your Marcus Allen Jones bias aside for a minute. Who has the real advantage in this match?
SD: Well I've got Marcus as the winner. But if I had to pick someone else I'd say Azazel. He can beat anyone at any time with The Night, plus he's never been pinned or submitted. MDE has a chance too with his style of wrestling. He shouldn't get too tired even if he gets into the match early on. Don't count out Tommy Storm either. I know he's already wrestled once, but he's a proven winner, as much as I may dislike him.
MW: How about Jerry Bishop?
SD: Bishop? I guess he could make his opponent laugh so much they get counted out, but I don't see him winning this one.
MW: And our two surprise entrants… any ideas?
SD: Well we both know Adam Thompson has a free pass to get into the match if he's cleared, but I don't think he has been. Davey Jones has reemerged recently so I could certainly see him in this match and maybe one or even both of our new Tag Team Champions may have earned themselves a spot.
MW: It's about time to find out. Let's bring out our first two competitors.

The arena lights go out as the introduction to Martyr plays. After a few moments, Azazel appears on the ramp with a flaming torch in hand. His appearance is met with a mixture of cheers and boos, but the cheers are definitely louder. He slowly walks down the ramp, eyes focussed on the championship in the ring. He walks up the steps and places the torch above the opposite corner, where he sits and stares into the darkness. A quiet ‘A-za-zel’ chant breaks out as the music stops but the lights remain out.

MW: You said he was favourite. Have you changed your mind?
SD: I said Marcus was favourite. But this isn't a good position to be in for Azazel.

Walk plays and Tommy Storm walks out from behind the curtain. He stops after a few steps and looks around at the crowd. He beats his chest with his fists and arms in the shape of an X twice then throws his arms up over his head with his left hand making the rock on hand sign and his right hand making the hang loose hand sign. When his hands hit the peak of being raised over his head orange pyro goes off in three bursts. Tommy lets out a yelling “lets fucking go” and walks to the ring. He gets in the ring and raises his arms at 2 sides of the ring while Azazel remains where he was sat, his gaze remaining unbroken.

MW: So we start off with Azazel and Tommy Storm. What do you expect from this one?
SD: Hard strikes and lots of them. This ought to be good.

A ring hand takes the torch down from the turnbuckle but Azazel stays where he is, still staring off into the distance. The official raises the belt and it is taken to the outside to sit on its stand just in front of the announce table. Storm walks over to Azazel and tries to trash talk him, but Azazel remains totally unmoved. Storm threatens him with a kick but Azazel doesn't flinch as Storm stops inches from his face. Storm walks away towards the opposite corner but suddenly turns and runs at Azazel, who pulls himself up using the top rope and two men end up face to face. Storm backs away but then aims a kick at Azazel, who blocks it with his leg. Storm then goes for a spinning back fist which Azazel ducks, aiming a leg sweep at Storm, who leaps into the air, looking to come down with a double stomp. Azazel rolls away at the last minute and springs to his feet, landing two leg kicks to Storm before aiming a roundhouse kick at his head. Storm, however, catches Azazel into a German suplex, but Azazel lands on his feet and backs away from Storm. He runs at him, looking for The Night, but Storm rolls away and then goes for a superkick, which Azazel rolls away from. The two men stare each other down as the fans stand and applaud.

MW: What an amazing display!
SD: These are two men who fight on instinct and do it very well. They'll have to do something special to even connect with one another, let alone to beat one another.

After a few moments of the staredown, the two move towards one another, Storm offering his right hand and Azazel the opposite. They are both reluctant to give away the advantage but finally they link hands, each man chest to chest trying to win the battle of strength. Storm forces Azazel back a few steps and Azazel breaks his grip, but he's immediately hit with a belly to belly. Storm tries to lock in a rear chinlock but Azazel twists away and lands a hard kick to Storm’s chest. Azazel takes the advantage and stomps on Storm’s left arm twice before pulling him up and wringing the arm, twisting it into a hammerlock. Storm, however, quickly escapes and goes for a German suplex. Azazel manages to remain on his feet and performs a standing switch, looking for a German of his own. Storm lets him lift him but counters with a roll-up, 1-2-no. Azazel pushes Storm away.

MW: A close two count.
SD: For a moment I thought the mighty Azazel had been vanquished.
MW: Not by a long shot. This one is just heating up.

Storm hits the ropes and tries to connect with a kick to the chest of a seated Azazel, but Azazel drops his his back before kipping up and hitting a roundhouse kick. Storm crumples to the floor and Azazel makes the cover, 1-2-no. Storm kicks out and shakes his head to get rid of the Stars he's seeing. Azazel doesn't give him any space as, before Storm can get up, he lifts him into a suplex position and lifts him up, but Storm drops down to his feet and then drops to his back.

MW: Eliminator!
SD: No. Azazel caught hold of the top rope.
MW: He was that close to being beaten for the first time.

Storm tries to get to his feet but Azazel grabs him round the waist and lifts him, connecting with a deadlift German, which he holds with a bridge, 1-2-no! Storm barely manages to get his shoulder up. Azazel doesn't waste any time in setting himself up to stalk Storm, who struggles to his feet. Azazel runs at him…

SD: The Night!
MW: No! Storm ducks! German!

Storm manages to duck the knee strike and catch Azazel with a snap German, bridging for his own pin attempt, 1-2-no! This time it's Azazel who barely manages to escape. This time Storm stalks Azazel and connects with a dragon suplex, bridging again for the cover, 1-2-no! Azazel just gets a shoulder up. Storm pulls him up and immediately connects with an exploder into the turnbuckles, backing away and hitting him with a cannonball. Storm springs up onto the top rope and waits for Azazel to roll onto his back, diving down with a perfect frog splash. He holds for the cover, hooking both legs, 1-2-no! Azazel kicks out with the official’s arm grazing the canvas.

MW: Did… did he get him?
SD: Nope. He couldn't have come much closer though.
MW: The pace of this one is frenetic. I'm barely keeping up.
SD: And one of these guys has to have another match after this.

Storm bangs on the mat in frustration before looking back at Azazel, who is using the ropes to pull himself up. Storm connects with a spinning back fist that sends Azazel reeling, but Storm catches him before he can drop down. He sets him up for a suplex but tries to drop down again for the Eliminator. Before he can, Azazel lifts him and connects with a brainbuster.

MW: Brainbuster from Azazel! He needs to cover him.
SD: But Azazel has other ideas.

Azazel backs away from Storm, crouching down in the corner as Storm works his way back to his feet very unsteadily. Azazel runs at him and connects with The Night, immediately rolling into a cover, 1-2-3!

Eliminated: Tommy Storm.

MW: What a fast-paced start from Tommy Storm and Azazel.
SD: Storm gave Azazel everything he had, but he came up short.
MW: There's no shame in that.
SD: Certainly not. Now we wait to see who the next contender will be.

The camera turns towards the entrance ramp as the lights go out. After a few moments and a few murmurs from the crowd, a spotlight hits the stage and ‘This Fire Burns’ begins to play. The fans rise from their chairs in anticipation and cheer loudly as Clutch McCloud runs out onto the stage, jumping up and down and screaming to the crowd. He is flanked by a tall black man wearing a Toronto Raptors jersey and an attractive, smartly-dressed woman. They smile as they walk behind Clutch, who slaps hands with fans all the way down the ramp. He climbs into the ring and holds out his arms as the fans chant ‘welcome back’.

MW: Well here's our first surprise!
SD: And what a surprise. He must be over his concussion caused by Jeremiah Johnson. I'm not sure he'd be back if Johnson were still around, but he's here and he wants to become the FPW Champion.
MW: So part two of our gauntlet match will be Azazel and Clutch McCloud!

The official rings the bell and Clutch and Azazel circle one another. They lock up and Clutch takes the advantage with a headlock. He maintains the hold for a few seconds before Azazel pushes him into the ropes but Clutch comes back and takes him down with a shoulder tackle. The fans cheer and Clutch responds in kind before connecting with a series of European uppercuts to drive Azazel back into the corner. Clutch backs away and runs at Azazel, hitting him with a running forearm smash which sends Azazel staggering out of the corner. As Azazel turns, Clutch connects with a Pele kick to send Azazel down. Instead of covering him, Clutch hits a springboard moonsault and holds for the cover, 1-2-no. Azazel gets a shoulder up as Clutch’s entourage shouts encouragement from the outside.

MW: What a start from Clutch McCloud. Yet more fast-paced action.
SD: You need to be fast in a match like this. If either of these men is going to win this match, they have to beat four more men after this. They need to put them away quickly or they'll never last.

Clutch pulls Azazel up and pulls him in for a suplex, catching the leg to make it a fisherman suplex, but Azazel kicks out with the trapped leg and causes Clutch to release it. Azazel connects with a hard leg kick and Clutch reels backwards, allowing Azazel to connect with a running high knee. Azazel then pulls Clutch in for a series of knees to the midsection and then finishes off with a kick to the back before hitting a snap German suplex and holding for a bridge, 1-2-no. Clutch gets a shoulder up. Azazel is a little slow to get to his feet and he and Clutch stare at each other from across the ring for a moment before each running at one another, Clutch looking for a forearm strike and Azazel for a running knee strike. They connect awkwardly in mid-air and the two are down for a few moments. The fans begin a duelling ‘A-za-zel’, ‘Clutch Mc-Clou-oud’ as the two men make it to their feet.

The move towards one another and face off, Clutch connecting with a European uppercut and Azazel responding with a leg kick. They exchange strikes, each strike coming quicker and harder than the last until the fans build their cheers to a crescendo. Clutch gains the advantage and forces Azazel into the corner, where he lands kicks to the gut and forces Azazel to a seated position. He backs away along the ropes and runs at Azazel, hitting a sliding forearm to send Azazel limp. Clutch backs away and waits for Azazel to pull himself up. He pumps up the fans as he waits and then springs into action, looking for the Technical Foul. Azazel, however, blocks the forearm strike with his own forearms before going for a leg kick. Clutch manages to catch the kick and quickly pulls Azazel in, hitting a fisherman suplex and bridging for the cover, 1-2-no! Azazel barely manages to kick out.

MW: Azazel almost defeated there! Clutch McCloud looks better than ever.
SD: Maybe Jeremiah Johnson cleared out his head a little. Azazel needs to watch out here.

On the outside, Clutch’s entourage try to pump him up and keep him focussed. He stands and backs away into the corner, stalking Azazel once again. As Azazel staggers to his feet, Clutch springs forward and connects with the TarHEEL!

MW: TarHEEL! TarHEEL! This is over. Clutch with the cover, 1-2-thr-no!
SD: Is this man human?
MW: I don't know. Nobody knows. All I know is that this one isn't over yet.
SD: Clutch looks like he's run out of ideas now though.

Clutch stares down at Azazel in disbelief. The man on the outside stares wide-eyed into the ring while the woman shouts for Clutch to refocus. He quickly springs back into life, pulling Azazel up and hitting him with European uppercuts to force him back into the corner again. Clutch backs up a step and turns, connecting with a discus lariat to send Azazel staggering. Clutch stalks him and goes for the Technical Foul again, but Azazel manages to duck, connecting with a desperation roundhouse kick. Both men drop to the mat as the fans applaud. The official starts his count, 1… 2…. 3…. 4…. 5…. Both men begin to stir…. 6…. 7…. Azazel makes his way to one knee…. 8…. Clutch does the same.

MW: Neither man giving up here. This battle rages on.
SD: But how much will it take out of the victor? MDE, Bishop, Jones all to come.
MW: That's a great point. Neither man will be ready for another challenge after this, that's for sure.

Azazel and Clutch stare each other down for a moment before they spring into action. Azazel ducks the Technical Foul again before Clutch sidesteps The Night. Azazel drops down as Clutch goes for a shining wizard, kipping up but getting hit straight away with a hurricanrana, Clutch holding on for the cover, 1-2-no! Azazel somehow gets his shoulder up once again. Both men manage to get to their feet at the same time, Azazel aiming a kick at Clutch but it has little force behind it and Clutch parries it away, locking Azazel in a dragon sleeper. Azazel fades quickly, allowing Clutch to drop to the mat and wrap his legs around his opponent.

MW: Azazel is fading!
SD: Look at his eyes. They're glazed over. The official is about to wave this one off.
MW: Here we go.

The official lifts Azazel’s arm and it drops. He signals one to the timekeeper. He lifts it a second time and it drops again. The official signs two this time. He lifts it again and it dro- no!

MW: Look at his eyes! The intensity. Azazel lives on.
SD: And now he's fighting back.

Azazel fights his way back to his feet and uses his impressive leg strength to flip over Clutch, hitting him with a German suplex as soon as his feet land. Azazel rolls away and stalks Clutch, running at him and connecting with The Night. Azazel rolls over and manages to drape an arm over his opponent, 1-2-3.

Eliminated: Clutch McCloud.

MW: What an effort from Azazel!
SD: He's seen off Tommy Storm and Clutch McCloud, but he still has four opponents to come. How can he possibly compete against any of them?
MW: He looks completely exhausted. But now he-

All of a sudden, Dance of the Knights begins to play and MDE emerges onto the ramp. He doesn't walk with his usual slow and deliberate pace, instead marching down the ramp with a purpose. As Clutch is carried away by his entourage, MDE enters the ring and pulls Azazel into position for a gutwrench.

MW: The Triple Gutwrench!
SD: MDE is going to beat Azazel! The first man to do it. Revenge for The Lost World!
MW: There'll be a bit asterix next to this one though.

MDE connects with the gutbuster and follows up with the gutwrench suplex. He floats over, but Azazel somehow manages to hold on and hook both of his legs, 1-2-no! MDE barely gets a shoulder up. Azazel rolls away from MDE, but MDE gets to his feet and stomps hard on Azazel’s right knee. He stomps over and over again before pulling down the knee pad and driving the point of his elbow into Azazel’s knee. Azazel calls out in pain as the fans boo MDE loudly. MDE grabs the right leg and locks in a half-crab, wrenching back as the official checks on Azazel.

MW: Azazel must be in pain here.
SD: He almost passed out against Clutch. He took a huge boot to the face and now MDE is taking his knee apart. This man may be unbeaten, but surely he can't last much longer.
MW: He's fighting here.

Azazel tries to pull himself to the ropes, but MDE drags him back into the middle of the ring. He maintains the hold with his left arm while using his right elbow to attack the knee viciously. Azazel raises his arm, close to giving up as the fans boo and begin a loud ‘no, no, no’ chant. Azazel draws strength from this and manages to swiftly pull himself to the ropes, MDE reluctantly breaking the hold. As soon as he breaks the hold, MDE goes back to the knee, pulling Azazel away from the ropes and lifting him by the right knee before driving it into the mat. MDE then places Azazel’s knee onto the bottom rope and stands on the second, dropping to drive all of his weight down onto Azazel’s leg. Azazel rolls away and grabs at his knee in agony.

MDE stands over him before reaching down for the leg, but Azazel takes advantage of his position and rolls MDE up with a small package, 1-2-no! MDE kicks out.

MW: Azazel trying to just get to the winning post.
SD: MDE may have made it so a roll up is the only way he can win. Even if he somehow gets past this one, he surely won't be able to stand to face his next opponent.
MW: MDE going right back to the knee here.

MDE stomps on the knee again before pulling it over his head and locking in a stretch muffler. He locks his hands as Azazel cries out in pain. MDE then crouches before jumping up, the impact of the landing resonating through the knee of Azazel. He does it again and again as Azazel goes limp. The official checks on him and is about to turn to ring the bell before Azazel grabs hold of his leg. The official turns back to see Azazel staring up at him with an intense look in his eyes. He holds off from ringing the bell as Azazel brings his left knee underneath himself and pushes up so he's standing on it. He jumps and flips in mid-air, driving his left knee into MDE’s head and causing him to break the hold.

MW: The heart of Azazel!
SD: He asked Jim Houston for competition and he's certainly getting it. MDE is going to tear his leg off if he doesn't submit.
MW: But MDE’s cut here. That knee has drawn blood from MDE.
SD: Blood or no blood, Azazel can't even stand up.
MW: Wait a minute though. He's doing his damndest to try here.

Azazel holds both hands on the top rope and pulls himself up, putting weight onto his right foot for the first time and then dropping down to one knee with a look of agony painted over his usually calm face. MDE watches before dropping behind Azazel and taking him down with a chop block. He lifts Azazel with a deadlift gutwrench, and immediately hits him with a gutwrench powerbomb, but Azazel rolls through into a standing position and lets out a deafening roar at MDE. MDE charges at him but Azazel takes him down with a hard roundhouse kick and falling into a cover, hooking the far leg, 1-2-no! MDE manages to get his shoulder up.

MW: How the hell did Azazel manage that?
SD: He's otherworldly. He's on one leg and he managed to not only absorb a gutwrench powerbomb but stand on two feet and deliver a roundhouse kick with a leg held together by a tiny string of tissue.
MW: MDE must be wondering how on Earth you can beat this man.
SD: Every member of the FPW roster is wondering the same thing.

Both men stagger to their feet, Azazel barely able to stand on his right leg and MDE, seeing this, trying to dive in. MDE leaps at the knee but Azazel twists away. He tries to pull MDE up for a deadlift German but his knee gives out and MDE pulls him in for a gutwrench again. He hits the gutbuster, then quickly hits the gutwrench suplex and floats over, lifting Azazel for the gutwrench powerbomb, but Azazel counters into a hurricanrana and holds on for the cover, 1-2-no! MDE pushes him away.

MDE scrambles to his feet and runs at Azazel, hitting him with a dropkick to the knee. Azazel cries out and falls to the mat. MDE tries to go back to the stretch muffler, but Azazel backs away, keeping his right leg underneath him. MDE forces Azazel back into the corner before diving in. Azazel pulls MDE down, his head hitting the turnbuckle hard. Azazel then rolls MDE up, 1-2-no! MDE barely gets a shoulder up again. MDE scrambles to his feet as Azazel tries to get the blood flowing in his right leg again. MDE dives in once again, pulling Azazel up to his feet and aiming a hard kick at his right knee. Azazel manages to leap up, landing on his left leg only, and pulls MDE in for a brainbuster. He tries to get him up but his leg gives out and he drops. MDE tries to get him back up for a snap suplex, but Azazel rolls him up with a small package, 1-2-3.

Eliminated: MDE.

MW: Wow! Azazel manages to find a way to get past MDE.
SD: But his leg is in tatters. He'd be better losing and living to fight another day.
MW: But that's not what Azazel does. He somehow managed to make it through the wrestling machine MDE, but can he make it through Jerry Bishop, Marcus Allen Jones and whoever the third man is?
SD: There's no way he can!

The opening of ‘The Entertainer’ plays and, borrowing from her brother, Berry Bishop takes the top of the stage with a bow at the opening arpeggios and mimes playing along to the music. On the last bars of the verses, Berry hopscotches to the bottom of the ramp and “plays” the ring apron as she climbs into the ring. She somersaults over the top rope and bows in the middle of the ring with a wink and a smile.

SD: You said the third man?
MW: Of course, here in FPW, it could be a man or woman, and Berry Bishop is making her shock debut in this match!
SD: I have to question the judgement of Jim Houston putting this untested rookie into our biggest match of the year.
MW: But what better proving ground? If she's anything like her brother, she'll want to put on a show but she'll also want to be the best she can be. And how better than to face Azazel?
SD: Who, by the way, is still not on his feet.

Azazel remains down, trying to pull himself up by the ropes but struggling to put any weight on his right leg. Berry looks at him like she's struggling to make a decision as he manages to pull himself up but stays grasping the ropes and hopping on one leg. The bell rings be Azazel stares at her before beckoning her forward. She moves in and Azazel, still holding the top rope, aims a powerful kick with his left leg. Berry avoids the kick and connects with her own kick, this one to Azazel’s chest. She moves in with kicks to his left leg before hitting a series of forearms and a spinning back elbow strike. Azazel rests back on the ropes as Berry pulls him away for an Irish whip, but he collapses after a couple of steps.

MW: Azazel is in serious trouble.
SD: He should hop off down that ramp. We all know who's about to come into this match and we also know that Azazel doesn't want to face our lord and saviour on just one leg.
MW: But will Berry Bishop be able to take advantage here?

Berry moves in, hitting a bulldog to Azazel and immediately covering, hooking the injured leg, 1-2-no! Azazel rolls a shoulder up. Berry leaps up to her feet and backs away from Azazel, pointing both fingers at him before running at him and connecting hard with a shining wizard as he sits up. She covers again, 1-2-no! Again Azazel just manages to roll a shoulder up. Berry looks up for a moment before trying to pull Azazel to his feet. She gets him to one knee before he elbows her away and lands a headbutt to her stomach. She staggers back and Azazel forces himself up, keeping himself on one leg but managing to duck an elbow strike and connect with a one-legged saito suplex. He drops down and tries to stretch out his leg once again.

MW: Azazel still fighting in this gauntlet match.
SD: Fighting he may well be, but is some otherworldly stuff from Azazel. How can he deliver that move on one leg?
MW: More importantly, how can he win three more matches on one leg?
SD: He can't!

Berry pulls herself up just as Azazel tests his knee with some weight. It buckles, slowing him down as she runs at him, leaping up and connecting with a monkey flip to send him across the ring. She waits for Azazel to try and make it to his feet and springboards off the second rope, connecting with a disaster kick as Azazel gets to one knee. He drops and Berry immediately pulls him up, standing alongside him with his head cradled in the crook of her elbow. She connects with the parallel snapmare and then hits the ropes, coming off with a hard penalty kick.

MW: That's the Touchstone Takedown!
SD: Of all the people to steal from, why him? He's a-
MW: Wait! Azazel caught it!

Azazel catches the kick, his eyes wide as he stares up at Berry, who looks down at him with a look of disbelief. Azazel keeps hold of the leg while climbing to one knee and then, with some difficulty, forcing himself to a standing position. Still grasping the leg, he manages to connect with a devastating roundhouse kick, with his injured leg, before almost collapsing onto Berry, 1-2-3.

Eliminated: Berry Bishop.

SD: I told you he was otherworldly!
MW: He's made it through four other competitors, but he still has two to go.
SD: Don't kid yourself, Watson. This one is between Jerry Bishop and Marcus Allen Jones now. And if it's between these two, I guarantee that Marcus will finally be recognised by everybody here as the true champion.
MW: Whoever comes out next will be facing an Azazel who is half-beaten already, but an Azazel who is still fighting and still very dangerous.

‘The Comedian’s Gallop’ plays and out comes Jerry Bishop, bowing at the top of the ramp before coming down the ramp in his usual flamboyant style. Midway down the ramp he stops, seeing Berry walking towards him. The two lock eyes for a moment before embracing, Berry whispering into Jerry’s ear before walking back up the ramp. He looks a little dazed as she walks away, but he soon refocuses, bounding into the ring and acknowledging the fans before looking across the ring to see Azazel sat cross-legged beneath the turnbuckle.

The referee rings the bell and Azazel pulls himself up. He stands with most of his weight on his left leg and limps forward to the middle of the ring. Jerry watches him and then limps towards him, before stopping and shaking his head, as if he's suddenly remembered that they both don't have to limp. The two lock eyes in the middle of the ring as the fans cheer. They each look both ways before Jerry invites the fans to get even louder by raising his arms over and over again. Azazel merely stares back at him before pulling him in and delivering a lightning-quick brainbuster.

MW: That was almost a snap brainbuster!
SD: It had to be. Do you think a one-legged man can lift Bishop for that long?
MW: I guess not.

Azazel backs away and stalks Jerry, who tries to get up. As Jerry turns, Azazel begins to run at him but his leg gives out, causing him to fall to one knee. Jerry looks at him for a moment before running at him and connecting with a low dropkick. He makes a quick cover, hooking both legs, 1-2-no. Azazel kicks out just before three. Jerry then rolls away under the bottom rope and waits for Azazel to get up. Azazel gets to one knee and tries to push up further, just managing to get to his feet before Jerry leaps onto the top rope and comes off with a perfect springboard forearm. Azazel crashes to the mat and Jerry covers him again, 1-2-no! Azazel again manages to get his shoulder up.

Jerry stands again, hitting the ropes and going for a running knee strike, but Azazel drops quickly to his back. Jerry tries to stomp on his head but Azazel rolls away, ending on his back again as Jerry tries a standing shooting star press. Azazel rolls out of the way again and Jerry crashes and burns. Azazel scrambles back and pulls himself up on the ropes, he stretches his knee out on the top rope and then swiftly pulls it away as Jerry runs at him. With Jerry landing in the corner, Azazel holds onto the top rope and delivers kicks with his right leg, both men crying out in pain after each kick. After a few kicks, Azazel turns but struggles to take a step. He decides to roll through and then sits cross-legged for a few moments, before pulling himself to his feet and somehow running at Jerry, connecting with a spinning heel kick in the corner. Jerry slumps down and so does Azazel, clutching at his right knee.

MW: How did he do that? How did he do it?
SD: Your guess is as good as mine, Watson. I don't know where he gets his power from but maybe I ought to sit like that when I'm with you.
MW: But now both men are down. If Azazel can get to to his feet again he might get the most unexpected of wins.

Azazel is trying to pull himself to his feet but is struggling even more with his right knee. Jerry manages to get to his feet first and, seeing that Azazel is struggling, he hits a rolling elbow and manages to quickly grasp Azazel’s head, lifting himself onto the second rope and connecting with a tornado DDT. He rolls into a cover, 1-2-no! Azazel again manages to kick out. Jerry bangs the mat to get the fans clapping in a rhythm as he lifts Azazel. He pulls him in for The Last Laugh, letting out a big belly laugh, but Azazel manages wrap his left leg around the rope to keep Jerry from dropping him. Jerry releases Azazel’s arms to free his leg but Azazel manages to roll him up with a small package, 1-2-no!

MW: The move that did for MDE, not enough to put Jerry Bishop away.
SD: No… it was… its Bishop, he probably twitched and managed to escape.
MW: However it happened, Jerry Bishop looks like he might become the first man to defeat Azazel.
SD: He can't be. He just can't be!

Jerry makes it to his feet as Azazel makes it to his knees. Jerry aims a kick at Azazel but Azazel catches it. He again stands, holding onto Jerry’s foot just like he did Berry’s and going for a roundhouse kick, but Jerry ducks the kick and rolls up Azazel with a schoolboy, 1-2-no! Azazel just manages to escape. Jerry then backs away onto the second rope and waits for Azazel to pull himself up. Azazel stands on one leg as Jerry comes off the second rope with a blockbuster. He scrambles into the cover again, 1-2-no! Azazel still manages to stay alive in the match.

Jerry shakes his head before pumping himself up as well as the fans. They stand, sensing something big is about to happen. Jerry pulls Azazel up and stands next to him. He hits the parallel snapmare and then hits the ropes, connecting with the penalty kick to complete the Touchstone Takedown. He covers Azazel, hooking both legs, 1-2-no!

MW: I thought he had him!
SD: No… The joker could never beat Azazel!
MW: You were out of your seat. You thought it was over too!
SD: I… I…
MW: But Bishop isn't finished with this yet!

Bishop drags Azazel up but he's almost deadweight. He gets him onto his shoulder and moves him to the corner, where he lifts him so that he's seated on the top turnbuckle. Jerry then climbs so he's parallel to Azazel.

MW: No way!
SD: If he does this then I'm a believer.
MW: Top rope Touchstone Takedown!

Jerry is about to hit the parallel snapmare but Azazel somehow holds on, causing Jerry to crash down onto his back. Azazel then looks down at him with a steely gaze and pulls both of his legs up. The fans cheer loudly when Azazel brings both legs underneath him and sits cross-legged on the top rope. As Jerry makes his way back to his feet, Azazel stands and leaps off the top rope.

SD: The Night!
MW: He hit The Night from the top rope!

Azazel lands on top of Jerry, 1-2-3.

Eliminated: Jerry Bishop.

Azazel rolls away from Jerry and the two of them lie on the mat for a few moments. The fans applaud both men loudly and Jerry is the first to stir, getting onto his knees and looking down at Azazel, who is clutching his right knee and clearly in serious pain. Jerry moves over to Azazel and offers him his hand, slowly helping him up and then patting him on the back, applauding him as he leaves the ring. Azazel barely manages to keep his balance as he watches Jerry step down the steps and begin the walk up the ramp.

MW: Well now there are just two men left in this match.
SD: And we all know who they are!
MW: Azazel has beaten Tommy Storm, Clutch McCloud, MDE, Berry Bishop and Jerry Bishop, but can he defeat the egomaniac? Can he defeat the man who will do whatever it takes to become champion, Marcus Allen Jones?
SD: He can't and he won't. Marcus is our champion and he's about to take his belt.

The fans begin a loud ‘A-za-zel’ chant as they realise that it's only Azazel and Marcus left. ‘Cult of Personality’ begins to play and the fans boo loudly as Azazel stands in the ring beckoning Marcus to come down and face him. After a few seconds, the boos turn to shocked sounds as a large man makes his way through the crowd. He climbs over the barricade and slides into the ring, jumping Azazel from behind. He rains shots down at Azazel before grasping him by the throat and hitting him with a thunderous chokeslam. He stands and looks down at Azazel before pulling down his hood.

MW: Davey Jones!
SD: The Lunatic is back in FPW.
MW: He and Azazel have certainly had their issues. I thought Davey Jones was gone from FPW but he's back and at the worst possible time for Azazel.

As ‘Cult of Personality’ continues to play, Jones pulls Azazel up for Psychosis. He drives him hard into the mat before pulling him up for a second, hitting it even harder. As he tries to pull him up for a third, Jim Houston rushes into the ring with a team of officials, forcing Davey Jones away from Azazel. He merely smiles and backs out of the ring as the officials follow, leaving Houston to check on Azazel in the ring.

At that moment, the lyric ‘I'm the smiling face on your TV’ plays and the camera shows Marcus Allen Jones strutting out onto the entrance ramp with the biggest shit-eating grin you'll ever see plastered onto his face. Houston shakes his head in the ring as Marcus takes a casual stroll down to the ring, chewing gum and keeping a broad smile on his face. Houston simply stares at him as Marcus enters the ring and tells the official to ring the bell. The official looks to Houston for guidance, but he gets none, Houston just staring at Marcus with hatred in his eyes. Reluctantly, the official rings the bell.

Without hesitation, Marcus covers Azazel, 1…… 2……….3.

Winner and New FPW Champion: Marcus Allen Jones.

Marcus kneels and holds out his arms, before mocking the ‘boyhood dream’ pose as the belt is placed in front of him. He snatches the belt up as the official tries to raise his arm but Marcus shoves the official aside. He points at Houston and then holds out his arm. Jim Houston shakes his head and begins to walk away but Marcus blocks him and gets in his face, ordering him to raise his hand. Houston looks down before grasping Marcus’ hand and holding it up for the briefest moment. Marcus stands with his arms raised as Houston leaves the ring, bathing in the hatred from the fans.

All of a sudden, ‘The Feast and The Famine’ begins to play and the fans turn expectantly to the entrance ramp. Adam Thompson emerges to a huge pop as he stands and simply points to Marcus in the ring. With a shot from behind the ring of the two men staring each other, the show fades to black.

[The_Aviator_GB]

Feedback!: 

What did I like?: Honestly, this show from top to bottom was incredible. I think almost every match was great, the writing styles of three (or four?) different writers didn't have any issues meshing together, and we got to see a few big capstone moments. Azazel nearly going the distance only to lose due to bullshit interference and allow MAJ to have his 'moment' after it was taken from him previously felt like a good way to still protect him in his loss, and give the others the opportunity to still challenge MAJ without feeling outclassed.

Also, Baker won the Hardcore title in an absolutely brutal match that took the soul from my body when I wrote it. I hope Jameson comes back in the future and wishes to come back for what's his, because that match could only be more intense...

The tag title match was good-the Invaders trying to get O and Sevren disqualified was a clever twist on what everyone assumed would likely happen, and I honestly enjoyed that match quite a bit. Not too shocked at the outcome, but i'm interested to see where this takes Takeover-and the Invaders-as a whole now that Marcus is the champ while they've lost their belts. 

Storm/Mason and Dessius/Saturn were short, sweet, and to the point, but that's all they needed to be. I'd love to see all four men contend for the Hardcore title in the coming months, as I can see quite a few interesting matches and matchups. 

And of course, the Free-1 Tournament. MDE, you're a fucking madman for doing this, but I respect the hell out of it. Excited to see how it goes!

What didn't I like?: Not much! I thought this show was really good-the only things i'd disagree with/change are that I feel that Saturn should have some presence in the HC title match (he kinda got screwed by Jameson on his last shot and he got the win against Dessius) and that's really it! 

Favorite moment of the night?: Well, honestly, I'd have to say having Baker win the big one was a good moment, but I also enjoyed Azazel running rampant in the gauntlet and needing a distraction from Davey to keep him down for good. Excited to see where he goes from here.

What comes next for FPW?: Hopefully a long Hardcore title reign and legitimization of the title from Baker, MAJ to retain his title through slimy ways, and possibly a tag title shot for the Renegades, but who can be sure? The Free-1's gonna be interesting to watch, and that's all I know. 

[marileeg17]

@adamthompson, The_Aviator_GB, Davey Jones, Saturn, @coleblack, @dragonangeluk, @messiahdwyer, @ed, @hatominx, @joe, @jeremiahjohnson, kingclutch, @kamkellington, Jim Houston, @pegkid, @robearxix, @scjr, @tommystorm, ticktock, veggieleezy

A message appears on the FPW Message Board:

Attention all past and present members of Freedom Pro Wrestling. You are all cordially invited to the championship coronation of his MAJesty, the one and only, the reigning, defending, undisputed, Marcus Allen Jones! Be sure to be in the ring tomorrow to bear witness first hand to your new king as he gives his first royal decree.

[Deleted]

Jul 9, 2018 2:53:48 GMT marileeg17 said:

@adamthompson , The_Aviator_GB , Davey Jones , Saturn , @coleblack , @dragonangeluk , @messiahdwyer , @ed , @hatominx , @joe , @jeremiahjohnson , kingclutch , @kamkellington , Jim Houston , @pegkid , @robearxix , @scjr , @tommystorm , ticktock , veggieleezy

A message appears on the FPW Message Board:

Attention all past and present members of Freedom Pro Wrestling. You are all cordially invited to the championship coronation of his MAJesty, the one and only, the reigning, defending, undisputed, Marcus Allen Jones! Be sure to be in the ring tomorrow to bear witness first hand to your new king as he gives his first royal decree.

I want to dislike this SO MUCH!!!111oneoneoneunounouno